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Hydro senior staff meets public tonight

By: Staff Writer

29/10/2009 7:29 AM | Comments: 13

WINNIPEG — The public gets a chance tonight to ask questions about the controversy swirling around Manitoba Hydro CEO Bob Brennan and the anonymous whistle-blower who says the utility is in financial trouble.

The public utility is inviting the public to ask questions of senior staff at a public meeting at its new downtown headquarters, Manitoba Hydro Place, 360 Portage Ave., at 7 p.m.

 

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13 Commentscomment icon

@Tim: What does 'right wing' have to do with fiscal sustainability? I think the idea that people are attacking Hydro because of some sort of ideological slant makes absolutely no sense. I am not right-wing of any sort, I just care about good policy and good fiscal management. If you paid more attention to the details that are coming out about what the consultant found in her report, you'll see it is not just one opinion of many, it is saying that all of the other opinions are missing large chunks of information and based on three assumptions, ALL of which must come true for Hydro to BREAK EVEN.
I for one think it is very important that we the public ask questions when a Crown corporation is taking huge risks, then not making the information public as to why they are taking those risks. Yes, power rates are AMONG the cheapest in North America, but is that any reason to not worry that the utility is putting its own financial strength at risk, thousands of jobs and possibly the very finscal health of the province at risk? I think that saying 'oh gees, well we have cheap rates and Hydro gives money to charity so we shouldn't ask any questions' is like sticking your head in the sand. Isn't it usually the right wing that says things like 'this corporation does such good for the community we shouldn't look into their wrongdoing?'

@lwj01998: yes, that is precisely the point of whistleblower legislation and that is precisely what has happened in this case. The consultant did not bring this information to the authorities because of some sort of business dispute (no idea where you got that from). She has stated several times that the reason this was brought to the various agencies in government is because she felt that Hydro had ignored what she feels are very grave risks being taken by the corp. You would like to know the actual identity of her? That goes against exactly what you stated is the point of the whistleblower legislation. I think you talked yourself into a tied up mess of reasoning.

I'd rather see Hydro answer questions of the auditor general than those of the public.

It would be interesting to know the actual identity of this expensive consultant and her company and what their track record is. Is it right that the whistleblower legislation can be used as a weapon in between business disputes? I thought it was designed to protect some individual who came forward with problems in a company they are working for and to protect their position.

The golden goose is going to die!!!

The owners of Mb Hydro (Manitobans) will not get any true answers from hydro.

The hydro is now something like 18 Billion dollars in the hole, The NDP government under The Doer ego run is not allowing anyone at Hydro to tell the truth, and has allowed one of its
own to investigate the wistleblowers true data. Do you really think that the truth will come out?
People of Manitoba when will you learn that The (Doer) NDP govenment does not allow any truth or facts about anything under their watch, that will damage its so called reputation, to
come out.
Remember this is the Manitobans company not the NDPs, It is time we remind them of that by kicking them out of office!!!!!!!

I can't make it to this thing tonight. Can somebody please ask the following question and then post it.

Does this Hydro issue have anything to do with Lake Winnipeg levels? Specifically; I understand that when the lake level is at 715m or more, then MBHydro is obligated to spill maximum flow - i.e. bypassing turbines. Is it the case that high lake levels mean huge generating potential and energy storage potential which cannot be utilizied due to the need to spill to mitigate shoreline erosion? Is it the case that power generating forecasts are not taking into account the necessity to spill?

All of Hydro's financial information is available here:

https://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/ar/index.shtml

I was surprised to see just how much long term debt they have. But considering the huge amounts of capital investment necessary for many of the projects they are working on, it could be justified. But it seems to this amateur (me) that their books are balanced with steady income growth of the last several years.
I was disappointed to see a huge loss in foreign currency exchange hedging, I'm surprised that hasn't made headlines.

Brent, Chris D., Jay and Dehall.
Will you be there tonight ?

I really dont understand why people have such a negative outlook on Manitoba Hydro.We Manitobans have the lowest rates in North America,Hydros reliabilty is second to none,they are all for the enviorment and involved with many types of community events and charities yet some people think that we are getting screwed. I just dont get it...What else could we ask for?
Why did they hire the "flake consultant?" for $500K...Because they are pressured from all these right wing complainers.Some of them are our MLA's, some sit on the PUB, and some sit next to you at work. We all know the types I'm talking about.

Its like taking your car to the garage..Every garage gives you a different quote as to what needs to be fixed.

Shall be interesting.

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